An experimental inquiry into the properties of opium and its effects on living subjects : with observations on its history, preparation and uses : being the disputation which gained the Harveian Prize for the year 1785

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EXPERIMENTAL INQUIRY

INTO

The properties oi

O P I U M,

AND ITS

EFFECTS
LIVING SUBJECTS:

With OBSERVATIONS on its

History, Preparations and Uses.

BEING THE

Disputation which gained the Harveian Prize
for the Year 1785.

By JOHN LEIGH, M.D.

<iu» priores nondum comperta, elo^uentii percoluere, rerum fide
tradcntur. /^<s . Tacitus.

EDI N BrU R G H:

Printed for CHARLES'Ei|X.IOT, Edinburghj

AND G. G. J. & J. RGBINt^N, London,

WjDCC,iXX3:VI> 4

•THJS TSEATISE IS HUMBLY INSCRIBED
T O

GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esci:,

A MAN EQUALLY REVERED

BY THE FRIENDS AND FOES OF HIS COUNTRY;

AND WHOSE CHARACTER WILL,

WITH UNRIVALLED LUSTRE,

BE TRANSMITTED TO THE

LATEST AGES OF POSTERITY,

FOR CONSUMMATE CONDUCT AND COURAGE,

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE VIRTUE.

SoiNBTritGH, 7

vc',:

NTRODUCTION.

TH E difEculties which every young
author muft encounter when he
folicits, for the firft time, the attention of
the public, are fufficient to damp the ar*
dour even of the moft adlive genius; and
muft of neccffity appear doubly formi-
dable to the man who is diffident of him-

B felf.

lo Introduction,

felf. Criticifm lies in wait for the dii
very of error; Satire prepares its fhafts;
the merits of the work, if it can boaft of
any merit, are frequently overlooked, and
its defe^ls fedulouily held forth to the eye$
of the world. Such is generally the fate of
a firft producSlion, when it is brought for-
ward to public view recommended by no
authority, and fupported by no fan(5lion
which may command relpecSl.

The author of the prefent Treatife is
not fo vain as to imagine that he polFelTes
any thing in himfelf which is capable of
fhielding him froni thefe attacks. And
had he nothing to fupport him but his
own authority, he never would have ven-
tured to appear before the awful tribunal
of the public. But he has the happinefis
to find, that he poffeiTes fomething mors
folidto depend upon thari this frail fup-
port. Jlis Treatife has obtained the pa-

tronac^e

Introduction. ii

tronage of the Harveian Society; the mem-
bers of which have repeatedly diftinguiih-
ed themfelves by their emineat abilities.
The approbation of this refpedlable fociety
has encouraged him to give to the v^orld
what otherwife his diffidence would have
led him to with-hold; and he flatters him-
felf, that his Treatife will be received with
that candour and indulgence to which a
firft performance has a peculiar claim.
Having thus made his apology, he fhall de-
tain the reader no longer than while he de-
fcribes the method by which he has con-
duced himfelf in this work. As this Trea-
tife was originally written in the form of
a diiTertation for the Harveian Society,
(to which many additions will now be
made), it was incumbent upon the author
CO adopt that method which a long efta--
blifhed cuftom had rendered common. For
this realon the work will be introduced by
% ihort hiftory of opium,

B 2 Upon

12 Introduction,

Upon this fubje(5l very few original
obfervations can be expedled; the only de-^
mand that can be made on the author is,
to collecSl and arrange with accuracy thofe
opinions which are beft eflabhfhed, and
■which convey the greateft degree of in^
formation. As the author's endeavours to
elFedl this have been exerted to the ut--
moft, he hopes they will not be found to
have been altogether fruitlefs.

LiNN^us has placed the Papaver a--
mong his Polyandria Monogynia, and de-
fcribes feveral fpeciesj but his Papaver
Somniferum feems to be generally con-
iidered as that from which the opium is
prepared.

These plants grow in great plenty in
the fields and gardens of Periia, Egypt,
^nd other provinces of Aiia; they have
not hitherto been much cultivated in Eu-

f:ii

Introductiow. 13

rope, though they are often found in
gardens.

Botanical writers have defcribed this
plant in the following manner : " It has
" oblong flightly indented leaves and
" roundifh ftalks, divided into a few
'*' branches, each of which is terminated
" by a large tetrapetalous flower of a
" whitifh appearance, fet in a two -leaved
" cup that falls off as the flower opens ;
" the flower itfelf likewife foon falls, lea-
" ving a fmdoth roundifli head or capfule,
" covered with a radiated crown, and con-
" taining a number of fmooth roundifh
" white feeds: It is annual, and flowers
" from June to near the end ot fum-

« mer."

In Chardin's Travels • (an author of the
greateft accuracy and mod extenfive ob-
fervation) we find the following defer! p*

B 3 tion t

14 Introduction.

" This plant is four feet high ; its leaves
" very v^rhite : it is ripe in the month of
" June ; about which time the juice is ex-
^* traded from the heads."

In Raynal's Hiftory of the Eaft IndieSj
a different defcription is given of' this
plant. This author fays, " That this plant
" has oblong and finuate leaves of a fea-
" green colour, alternately difpofed upon
" a fmooth flem with very few branches,
^^ and three feet high. Each branch is al-
'' moft naked, terminating by a fingle
^V flower, rather large, compofed of a calix
" with two leaves, four white or rofe-
" coloured petals, and a great number of
** (lamina placed under the piftil, which
" they furround. The piftil grows into a
*' large round feed-veffel, ornamented with
^* a radiated crown, and filled with a pro-
" digious number of round, white, and
** oily feedso"

It

Introduction. |j

It 15 not wonderful that, at a period
when truth and reafon were obfcured by
fuperftition, and when inveftigation was
fmothered by ignorance, even the hiftory
of a remedy fo generally ufed as opium
fhould have produced many difputes:
Thus, in the works of the more ancient
writers, we find that this fubjedl gave rife
to a conteft in which many were en-
gaged.

The fpecies of poppy from which the
opium was prepared, appears firft to have
opened this field of contention; and on
this point great names have contended a-
gainft each other. Pliny, who appears to
be an author of great information, afTerts
with much confidence, that opium is pro*
cured principally from the Papaver Ni-
grum. Dalecampus alfo fupports this opi-
nion with all the warmth natural to a

mind confcious of the truth of its afTer-

>
B 4 tions^'

i6 IntroductioNo

tions; but Garcias and Kempfer, who
were both in Egypt, queftion the validity
of thefe opinions, and attempt to over-
throw them, by telling us, that they had

frequently witnefTed the operation for ex-
tra(5lihg the opium, and that the white
poppy alone was ufed. Difputes of this
nature might be ufeful and amufing in an
age when difcoveries firfl began to dawn
upon mankind ; but at prefent they would
be fruitlefs, as very recent experiments
prove, that the opium prepared either from
the black or white poppy is equally good.
As, however, the white poppy has by much
the largeft head, and is found to afford the
greateft quantity of juice, there can be
little doubt that the makers of opium will
prefer this.»

The next fubjedl that engaged the at-
tention of the ancients, was by far the
moil important and incerefting; this re-

fpedled

Introduction, i^

fpecfled the manner of preparing opium.
We fhall here find, that authors of great
and eftablifhed repute have entered the
lifts, and encountered each other with fo
much warmth, that an appeal to their
works will only add to the confufion, Le-
mery, Alpinus, Savary, and others, have
made many attempts to prove that the o*
pium of our fhops is nothing more than
the Meconium of the Egyptians, which
they prepared from the heads and leaves of
poppies. This opinion has received addi-
tional force from the obfervations of Mr
Condamine, who exprefTes himfelf in the
following words: " I am affured by thofe
" who are well informed, that the opium
*' of the fhops is all an extradl of the de*
" codlion of the poppies." Beleonius alfo,
who travelled for the fpace of two years in
Egypt, mentions many circumftances in
fupport pf the opinion of Condamine; but
when we examine the works of thofe who

wrote

s8 Introduction.

wrote about the fame time, and others whd
followed, there will appear many argu-
ments fufficiently ftrong to fhake, if not to
overthrow, the opinions juft now men-
tioned. Garcias, Mandelflo, Tavernierj
Kempfer, and others of equal eminence^
have invefligated this point with the great-
eft candour; and from their determina-
tions we are led to conclude, that the opi^
um of our fhops, as well as that of the E-
gyptians, was procured only from the juice
of the poppy-heads by incifion. In this
tmdetermined ftate the difpute remained,
when there appeared one *, who, more at-
tached to fads than fpeculations, entered
willingly into the field of experiment, and
after much labour elucidated and firmly
eftablifhed the truth. To this adventurer
are we then indebted for the difcovery

which

* Dr Alfton.

Introduction. tg

which proves that opium is the juice of
the poppy procured by incifion alone.

We are told, that in the province of Ba-
har in the Eaft Indies, the poppy- feeds are
fown in the months of Odlober and No-
vember, at about eight inches diftance, and
well watered till the plants are about half
a foot high, when a compoft of dung, ni-
trous earth, and afhes, is fpread over the
areas ; and a little before the flowers ap-
pear, they are again watered profufely till
the capfules are half grown, at which time
the opium is colledled ; for when fully
ripe, they yield but little juice : two lon-
gitudinal incifions from below upwards,
without penetrating the cavity, are made
at fun-fet for three or four fucceffive
evenings ; in the morning the juice is
fcraped off with an iron fcoop, and work-
ed in an iron pot in the fun's heat till it is
of a confidence to be formed into thick

cakes

2© IntroductioNo

cakes of about four pounds weight; thefe
are covered over with the leaves of poppy,;
tobacco, or fome other vegetable, to pre-
vent their fticking together, and in this fi-
tuatioii they are dried.

Chajidin has given us the following
account : " The poppy is ripe in the month
" of June, at which time they extra^ the
** juice from it; they lliceit in the head; and
" thePeriians, by way of fuperftition, make
" twelve flices in memory of the twelve
" imans, three incifions one by another all
" at the fame time, with a little brill that
" has three edges like the teeth of a comb 5
^' there comes out a thick vifcous juice^
■^^ which they colledl at the dawn of day^"

In RaynaFs Hiftory of the Eaft Indies

we find thefe obfervations : " When the

" poppy is full of fap, and that the head of

" it begins to fwell, one or more incifions

3 " are

Introduction. ti

*• are made into it; from whence dlftU
" fome drops of the milky liquor contain^
" ed within, which is left to congeal, and
" is afterwards gathered. This operation
^' is repeated three times, but the produce
" gradually diminifhes in quantity, nor is
" it of fo good a quality. When the opi-
" um is gathered, it is moiflened and
*' kneaded with water or honey till it ac-
" quires the confiflence, vifcidity, and
** gloflinefs of pitch, when it is well prepa-
*' pared, and is then made into cakes. That
*' kind is mofl in efteem which is rather
** foft and yields to the touch, is inflamma-
'* ble, of a blackiih brown colour, and has
" a ftrong fetid fmell; on the contrary,
" that which is dry, friable, burnt, and
" mixed with earth and fand, is to be
^* thrown away."

The opium prepared about Thebes,
hence called the Thebaic op'mm^ has been

ge-

23 Introductioh.

generally efteemed the moft pure; but
Condamine difputes the propriety of this
common opinion. Thus, when mention-
ing " that the greateft part of the opium
" fold at Conftantinople is brought from
" Natolia, he obferves, that it grows in
" great plenty in the territorry of Thebes
** in Egypt ; but even there the Natolian is
" preferred, and fells for double the price
" of that made in the country." Chardin
exprefTes himfelf in the following words
on this fubjed; : " The beft apoum^ as call-
" ed by the ancients, hence our term opt"
" um^ is made in the canton of Lingar^
" fix leagues from Ifpahan, where the
" fields are covered with poppies : There
" are fome who hold the opium of Gaze-
" ron in Hill greater efteejxi than that a£
^* Ifpahan ; faying, that the opium of the
" latter produces crudities in the ftomachj
" while the other does not." Though
dillindions of this kind can afford no real
3 npility

Introductioi^'. 23

utility at the prefent day, dill it is the du^
ty of an author to correal, as far as infor-
mation admits, every fallacious opinion
which may have prevailed.

No writer has yet offered to the world
any fatisfadlory account of the manner in
which this valuable remedy, or its virtues,
were firft difcovered ; hence the imagina-
tions of many have been bufily fet to
work, and a variety of fruitlefs conjec-
tures brought forth to fill up this hiflori-
cal chafm. Some fay that it was firfl dii^
covered by a Grecian, who, being com-
pelled one night to take fhelter under a
tree where a number of poppies grew,
found himfelf fo difpofed to fleep as not
to be able to rife in the morning. Others
attempt to prove that it was difcovered by
an Egyptian, who, labouring under feme
complaint, was advifed to have recourfe to
the ufe of vegetables in form of decodlion;

that

34 Introduction.

that by chance the poppy was ufed, and
thus its efFeds became known.

It is not flrange, that at this period of
darknefs even thefe fanciful conjedures
Ihould have given rife to a permanent dif-
pute ; and hence we find that this alone
was the caufe of a conteft, in fupportof
which many volumes have been written?
Some, anxious to beflow on the Egyptians
the merit of this important difcovery, and
having no jufl grounds to fupport their
reafons, have brought forth a variety of
arguments, which are either taken from
the works of poets (as Homer* and pthers)^,
or which owe their birth to fancy.

Though

* It is certain that Homer defcribes, in the fourth
Book of the Odyfley, a drug which appears to polTefs
all the qualities of opium, and which Helen is faid to
have received from the wife of ThOne the Egyptian.
The Poet alfo defcribes Egypt, in the fame paflage, as
abounding at that period in fkilful phyficians. But
from this we can hardly infer any regular ufe of opium
'<2s a medicinej

Introduction. aj

Though it may be difficult to advance
an; opinion on this fubjedl founded on
truth and certainty, (till there are fome
circumftances which will enable us to
form a plaufible conjedure. As Hippo-
crates was the firfl who recommended
opium to be ufed internally, it is highly
probable that its properties were difcover-
ed about that time and in his country.
This conjedlure receives additional flrength
from the opinion of Diagoras, who lived
about the fame time with Hippocrates,
This phyfician is faid to have forbid the
life of this remedy, becaufe it dimmed the
fight, and produced a great difpdfition to
fleep. From thefe circumftances it is rea«»
fonable to conclude, that at this period the
virtues of opium muft have made their
firft appearance. Soon after this, attempts
were made to inveftigate the properties of
this remedy, and its effedls on living fub-
jeds. Things feem to have run the fame
1 C courfe

26 Introduction.

courfe in the Eafl. Thus Chardin in-
forms us how opium firfl began to be ap-
plied in Perfia for the cure of difeafes.
*' There was," fays he, " a fuperior of
" Ifpahan, called Father Ange of St Jo-
" feph, a man Ikilled in medicine, who,
" anxious to underfland the efTedls of
" opium, took a pill of it, and then made
" its operation known to the world."

Notwithstanding thefe very import-
ant difcoveries, fome confiderable time
elapfed before opium was freely ufed; and
it is faid that Heraclides of Tarentum was
the firfl: who efl:ablifhed its reputation.
And now the happy moment arrived when
the benefits of fo valuable a remedy were
no longer to remain confined by the fet-
ters of ignorance, but, like the light of day,
to be diffufed throughout the different
parts of the world ; and thus have they
received thofe jufl: encomiums fo liberally

be-

Introductfoh. 27

beftowed by many Arabian *, German f,
and EngliftiJ writers. And thus far of
the hiftory of opium. We now proceed
to the fecond branch of our fubjed, which
is to defcribe its fenfible quahties.

Opium (the infpifTated juice of the
poppy) is of a foHd coniiftence; yet fome-
what foftifh and tenacious, of a pecuUar
faintifh difagreeable fmell ; to the tafle it
is at firft naufeous and bitter, but foon
becomes acrid and warm. In the mafs it
is of a dark reddifh brown colour, and
when reduced into powder yellow ; it is
faid to pofTefs a gum-refin, an efTential
oil, a fait and earthy matter. To afcer-
tain the truth of this opinion the follow-
ing experiments were made ; but before
thefe are related, it feems proper to obferve,
C 2 that

* Rhafes, Avicenna, and Avenzoar,
f Sennertus, Wedelius, and Ludovicus,
X Sydenham, and many others. .

20 Introduction'.

that as it was my duty to analife the com-
ponent parts of opium with the greateft
accuracy, it became necefTary to inftitute
a number of experiments | which are bet-
ter calculated, perhaps, to eflfe(ft that end,
than to afford entertainment to the rea-
der.

EXPE-

EXPERIMENTS

O N

O P I U M«

FIRSTCLASS.

EXPERIMENT L

TO one ounce of the common crude
opium of the (hops I added a quan-
tity of diftilled water; the opium was then
fufFered to macerate for three days, during
which time it was very often agitated i
C 3 frefh

^o Experimettts on Opium,

frefli water was added, and the agitation
continued fo long as the opium commu'
nicated any colour to the water.

EXPER. II.

The whole of the above folution was
now filtered ; and that which pafTed thro'
the paper, which I fuppofed to be the
gummy part, was evaporated by a very
gentle heat down to the coniiftence of an
extra(5l : this was put into a cool place;
and when perfe<flly dry, weighed : the
quantity was found to anfwer to the fol-^
lowing Table of the different proportions.

EXPER. III.

To that part of the opium which re-
mained after the filtration of Exper. II.
and which could not be ac^ed upon by
warcfj I added a quantity of alcohol, and

fuf.

Experiments on Opium, 3 1

fufFered it to macerate two days, during
which it was repeatedly agitated in the
velTel ; the liquor was then gently poured
off, frefli alcohol added, and the whole
rubbed in a mortar fo long as the alcohol
had any acElion on the opium : it was then
filtered.

EXPER. IV.

The folution which pafTed through the
filtering paper, and which I fuppofed to
be the refinous part of the opium, as it had
been taken up by the alcohol, was evapo-
rated by a very gentle heat down to the
confiftence of an extradl, which was made
dry and weighed.

EXPER. V.

After the filter of Exper. III. there
remained a confiderable refiduum, which

C3 I

J 2 Experiments on Opium,

I have taken the liberty to call Feculent
Matter, becaufe it was found, as will be
hereafter proved, to poffefs no fenfible pro-
perties : this matter was made dry by a
gentle heat; which, with the other different
parts, was as follows :

Different parts of opium, and the quan-
tities of each, anfwering to the firfl Cl^fs
of Experiments.

Quantity of refin 31 & ^i.

Gum 3iij & grs. 5O0
Feculent matter 31. grs. 6.

The reafons which induced me to infti-
tute thefe experiments muft appear ob-
vious ; my defign was to feparate the
gummy and refinous parts of the opium
from each other: with this view 1 was
led to ufe diflilled water, which is well
jcnown to be the bed fblvent for gums.
The fame reafons would naturally lead
me, after dlffolving the gum, to make ufe
of a menftruum which might acl upon

the

Experiments on Opium, ^^

the refin ; for this purpofe I had recourfe
to alcohol, which is found to be the moft
powerful folvenc for all refinous matter.
Though thefe different menflrua a6l upon
the gum and refin perfedlly when in a
pure and feparate ftate, I yet doubted whe-
ther thefe experiments alone would anfwer
my purpofe fully, as it appeared very pro-
bable that the gum, when intimately com-
bined with the refin, might render the
latter partially foluble in water ; and thus
alfo with refpecSl to the folubility of the
gum by alcohol when intimately com-
bined with the refin. For thefe reafons I
thought it dangerous to confide too im-
plicitly in one fet of experiments, and that
it would be more advifable to introduce
others, by which I fhould avoid every dif-
ficulty, and alfo remove my own doubtSo
With this view I inflituted the following,
which I hope have fully anfwered my ex-
pedlations. It feems proper to obferve

here.

34 Experiments on Op'ium»

here, that wherever in my experiments I
have mentioned opium fimply, without
any other diftindlion, I mean the common
crude opium of the fhops.

As the following experiments were in-
ftituted with the fame view and for the
fame reafons as the preceding (viz. to fe-
parate the different parts of opium), it will
be unneceflary to make any further obfer-
vations refpedling each of them : The rea-
fons which induced me to take the liberty
of ufing the term Feculent Matter, men-
tioned in Exper.V. will be more particu-
larly explained when I come to examine
the different parts of opium.

S E-

SECOND CLASS,

EX PER. VI.

One ounce of opium was cut into very
fmall pieces, a quantity of alcohol was
added, and it macerated three days, during
which it was repeatedly agitated ; the li-
quor was then gently poured oflF, frelh
added, and the agitation continued fo long
as the opium communicated to it any co-
lour : I then filtered the whole; and the
folution which pafTed the filter was eva-
porated by a very gentle heat down to the
confidence of an extradl, which was then
dried and prepared in the fame manner
as in preceding experiments,

E X P E R. VIL

To the opium which remained after this
filtration, and which I fuppofed to be the

gummy

^6 Experiments on Opium,

gummy part, I added a quantity of di-
flilled water, and agitated it in a mortar
with a peftle ; frefh water was added, and
the agitation continued as long as any
colour was communicated to the water ;
the whole folution was now filtered, and
that which pafTed through the paper eva-
porated by a very gentle heat down to the
coniiftence of an extradl, which was dried
and weighed : the quantity is mentioned in
the following table.

E X P E R. VIII.

After this filtration, there remained a
confiderable refiduum, to which I have
already given the name of Feculent Mat-
ter ; this was dried, weighed, and found
with the other different parts of the opi-
um as follows.

Different parts of opium, and quantity

of

Experiments on Opium] 37

of each, anfwering to Second Clafs of Ex-
periments.

Quantity of refm 31. and 9i

Gum 3iij.andgrs6

Fee. matter, 51. and grs i o

THIRD

HIRD CLASS,

EXPER. IX„

I ADDED to one ounce of opium Ib.ij. of
diftilled water ; then put the whole into an
open veflel, and appHed to it one hundred
degrees of heat by thermometer: It re-
xnainedin this fituation twenty- four hours,
was then put by till coolj when I filtered

EXPER, X,

The folution which pafTed through the
filtering paper was now evaporated by a

very

Experiments on Opium, 3^

very gentle heat down to the confiflence
of an extradl, then dried, and its quantity
afcertained.

EX PER. XL

To the opium which remained on the
filter of Exper. IX. I added a quantity of
alcohol, and rubbed it in a mortar for a
confiderable time; frefh alcohol was added,
and the rubbing continued fo long as any
colour was communicated by the opium ;
the whole was then filtered, and the folu-
tion evaporated and prepared in the fame
manner as mentioned in lad Experment.

EXPER. XIL

There remained after this filtration a

confiderable quantity of what I have

4 called

4© Experiments on Oplum^

called Feculent Matter j this was driedj
weighedj and found as follows.
Table of Third Clafs of Experiments.

Quantity of refin 3!. and grs 15

Gum siij. and grs 30

FeCo matterj 31. and^rs 15

FOURTH

FOURTH CLASS.

£ X P E R. XIIL

Aft Eli cutting one ounce of opium in«
to very fmall pieces, I added to it a quan^
tity of diftilled water, and rubbed it in a
mortar for fbnie confiderable time ; the
1?vrater was then gently poured off, and
freih added; agitation with the peflle was
alfo continued ; this was repeated fo long
as the opium gave any colour to the
water : the folution was then filtered »
and evaporated by a gentle heat down to
the confiftence of a thick fyrup.

To this fyrupy confidence I added a
D con*

42 Experiments on Opium^

confiderable quantity of alcohol, and fuf-
fered it to (land feveral hours ; the alcohol
was then gently poured ofF,

This method was adopted, becaufe I ap-
prehended that the diftilled water had
taken up fome of the refinous part of the
opium with the gum. By the addition of
alcohol in a very confiderable quantity, I
was certain that any part of the refill
which might be contained in this fyrupy
confidence with the gum would be taken
up inftantly, and the gum left pure at
the bottom. When I examined the alcohol
which was poured off, it was found to
contain fome refin, the quantity of which
was afterwards afcertained by the procefs
of evaporation.

This proves evidently, that although
refin, when in a pure and feparate Hate, is
infoluble in water 5 yet when intimately

com-

^xperitnenis on OpiuMi, /j. J

combined with giimmy matter, is rendered
partially foluble by that menftruum.

E X P E R. XV.

To the opium which remained in-
foluble in water after the filtration of
Experiment XIIL I added a quantity
of alcohol, and then rubbed the whole
for a conliderable time in a mortar : this
was poured ofFj frefh alcohol added, and
the agitation continued fo long as the
alcohol received any colour from the opi-
um.—The whole was then filtered, and
evaporated by a gentle heat down to ths
confiftence of a thick fyrup*

E X P E R. XVL

To this fyrupy confidence I added a

very confiderable quantity of diftilled

water 5 it was then fufFered to iland fe-

D 3 veral

44 Experiments on Ofium^

'^eral hours, when the water was poured
ofF. The extra^ which remained at the
bottom of the velTel was made dry and
weighed.

This method was adopted with views fi-
snilar to thofe of Exper. XIV. Finding that
the refin had been rendered partially fo-
luble in water by means of the gum with
which it was combined, I was naturally led
to fufpecfl that the fame would take place
with the gum when intimately combined
with the refin i in this conjecflure I was
by no means deceived; for by examining
the water which 1 had poured off from the
refionus matter, it was found to have taken
"up a confiderable quantity of gum which
had been acSed upon by the alcohol.

This mull: prove inconteflably, that both
gummy and refinous matters, when inti-
mately combined, render each other capa-

Experiments on Opium, Ae

ble of being adled upon by menftrua,
which have no eiFecfl upon them when in
a pure and feparate ftate.

EX PER. xvir.

After the filtration of Exper. XV.
there remained a quantity of feculent
matter : This was made dry ; and its
quantity with the other different parts of
the opium found to be as follows.

Table anfwering to Fourth Clafs of Ex*
periments.

Quantity of refin, 31- and 9i.

Gum, 3iv. and grs. 20,
Fee. matter, 3 i. — ■

The whole of thefe experiments were

frequently repeated ; but I muft confefs

that they did not exadly agree: the laft

P J clafs

46 Escperlments m Opmml

clafs feems to merit the greateft attention |
for though, when repeated, they did not
perfedlly correfpond with the firfl, yet I
found in them the leaft variation. Upon
examining the different quantities found
in the feveral clafTes of experiments, it is
clear a lofs has been fuftained in fome of
them ; but it mud be obferved, that tho*
it is impoflible to avoid fome lofs in expe-?
riments of this nature, flill we fhall find it
lefs on the prefent occafion than appears
at firfl view. The opium which I ufed in
thefe experiments had never received any
l^eat, which I found by trial would free it^
even applied in a moderate degree, of a
very confiderable part of its moiflure, and
confequently leffen its weight. Qne ounce
of the common opium of the fhops will,
by expofure to a moderate heat, be de-
prived of one drachm of its weight.

The reafons which led me to ufe the

Experiments on Opium, 47

procefs of evaporation miifl appear evi-
dent, as this was the only fecure method
by which I could reduce the difFerent fo-
lutions to a folid ftate, and fo afcertain
their diiFerent quantities.

As I intended to make fome experiments
upon the different parts of the opium when
they were perfedly feparated, I avoided
applying fuch a degree of heat as mighc
have deprived them of any of their adlive
properties. Having thus fully accompliflied
my views, by procuring in a feparate ftate
thefe different parts, I proceeded to examine
each feparately, as will appear from the
following experiments.

EX PER. XVIII.

TO a fmall quantity of the refinous

part of opium, procured by the Fourth

Glafs of Experiments, after being diffol-

D 4 ved

4.8 Experiments on Oplunto

ved in alcohol, I added a fmall quantity of
chalybeate water; it immediately flruck a
deep black colour, which increafed confi-
derably by (landing two days. It may be
proper here to obferve, that whenever I
made ufe of my chalybeate water, it was
ever of the fame ftrength, viz. ten grains
of fal mart, to one ounce of common di-?
flilled water.

E X P E R. XIXo

TO the fame quantity of pure gum as
of refin ufed in laft experiment, when dif«
folved, I added the fame quantity of my
chalybeate ; it flruck a black colour, which
increafed by (landing two days, but did
not equal that produced in the refinous
folution This mull lead us to fuppofe,
that the principle of aflringency refls in,
the refinous part of the opium in a great-?
er degree than in the gum ; flill it is evi-

Experiments on Opium, 4,^^

dent from tbis experiment, that the gum
alfo poffefTes fpmething of the fame pria-
ciple.

E X P E R. XX.

TO a quaintity of the feculent matter
I added alcohol, and then rubbed it in a
mortar for fome confiderable time; but no
colour was communicated to the alcohol,
nor had it any efFedl whatever on the fe-
culent matter. To more of this matter
was then added a quantity of diftilled wa-'
ter, with which it was rubbed in a mor-^
tar fome confiderable time, but no colour
was communicatea t.o the water ; the wa-?'
ter was then poured oflF, the matter dried,
and found to have loft nothing in weight.

!E X P E R«

5Cr Experiments on Opium]

EX PER. XXL

I THEN added to a quantity of this fe-
culent matter boiling water, and fuffered
it to ftand feveral hours ; no change what~
ever took place in the matter : By the ad-
dition of the boiling water a fmall quan-
tity of earthy matter was fet at liberty,
which fell to the bottom of the vefTeL
When applied to the organs of tafte and
fmell, this feculent matter communicated
no fenfible properties whatever. Thefe
experiments prove, that little dependence
fhould be placed in the common crude
opium of the Ihops, as it contains more
than one-eighth part of inadlive matter :
They alfo point out the neceffity of adopt-
ing fome mode by which the opium of
the (hops may be freed from its impuri-
ties. For this purpofe the London Dif-
penfatory has recommended the method

of

Eseperlments on Opium, 1 1

of ftralning the opium ; but even this
will not anfwer the end eiFe(5lually, as
will appear from the following experi^
pienEs.

EX PER, xxir.

Having procured two drachms of the
pureft ftrained opium of the fliops, I added
to it the fame proportion of proof fpirits
and water as ordered by the Pharmacopoeia
for making Tindl.Theb. It was then fuf-
fered to ftand near a ftove, where the tem-
perature was ninety-five degrees by ther-
mometer, for three days ; during which
it was repeatedly agitated : It was then
filtered, the refidium dried, and found to
^niQ^nt to ten grains in weight.

EXPl^. XXIII.

TO this refiduuml^r feculent matter of

% the

j».

£2 Experiments on Optum,

the flrained opium I added the difFerent
menftrua ufed in Exper. XX. and XXL
but it was found infoluble in either^
When applied to the organs of tafle or
fmell, it communicated no fenfible adli^
vity.

From thefe circumftances it appears
very evident, that ftraining the opium
does not purify it fufficiently • For, inde^
pendent of the inadlive matter which is
found to remain in the opium after being
flrained, it is reafonable to fuppofe that
the great degree of heat made ufe of in
this procefs cannot fail to diminifh its ac-
tive properties confiderably. The efFeds
of heat on opium will, however, be point-
ed out more fully in a fucceeding part of
this work. Anxious to know the ftrength
of drained opium, I gave a man in perfecfl
health three grains of it, and remained
with him till the operation was over^
5 Three

Experiments on Opium, ^h

Three days after, I gave the fame man two
grains of pure gum and refin intimately-
combined, and found that the efFe(fls of
the laft dofe were confiderably greater
than the firft.

The refuk of thefe experiments points
out the propriety of fearching for fome
other means, by which we may not only
free the opium of its impurities, but at the
fame time avoid doing any injury to its
adlive properties. For this purpofe the fol-^
lowing method feems moft eligible :

To one ounce of the common opium of
the {hops add fix ounces of fpirit of wine
diluted with as much water ; let them di-
geft in a gentle heat for four days, during
which they Ihould be frequently agitated ;
then filter the whole, and evaporate the
tindlure by a very gentle heat down to the
confidence of an extrad. By this method

we

54 Experiments on OpiuM,

we (hall get the opium in a pure flat^d
The menilruum here recommended, is
known to a<5l powerfully both on the gum
and reiin, which will be intimately com-
bined by the procefs of evaporation ; and
by filtering the tindlure through paper we
fhall free it perfedly of the feculent mat-
ter. When we have opium in this pure
flate, the phyfician, who is acquainted with
it^ operation, will be enabled to form, as to
its efFedls, a true opinion, and will alfo have
fome profpedl of certainty in the doff
%vhich he may adminifter*

EXPER. XXIV,

TO one ounce of opium, cut into fmall
pieces, I added Ib.ij. of diftilled water; the
whole w^as rubbed in a mortar till the
opium was diifolved. I then put the folu"
tion into an alembic, applied a brifk heat,
^ad drew off about half a pound of the
3 water.

Experiments on Opium, ^e

water. As this experiment was inftltuted
with a view to procure the eflential oil of
the opium, a brifk heat was necelTary. To
the tafte this water was extremely pun-
gent, and left a difagreeable naufea : To
the fmell it was ftrongly narcotic. To a
quantity of this water fome of my chaly-
beate was added, but no change whatever
was produced in its colour. I examined
fome of this water with a magnifying
glafs, but could not difcover diftindlly any
globules of oil. I was then led to make
fuch experiments as would enable me to
feparate the particles of oil (if it contained
any) from the water, fo as to make them
vifible. It will be unnecefTary to mention
all the methods adopted for this purpofe,
as I was difappointed in many of them;
Ihall therefore only relate fuch as fuc-
ceeded.

EX PER.

•■^6 Experhnents on Opmn,

EX PER, XXV.

TO a fmall quantity of this water, draWn
off from the opium by diftillation, was add-
ed a fufficiency of foluble tartar to facu«
rate it I after (landing twenty-four hours,
I examined it with a magnifying-glafs,
and difcovered evidently fmall globules of
oil floating on the top of the water. To
the tafte thefe were extremely pungent,
attended with a peculiar fenfation, which
is common to opium alone. I Was indu-
ced to adopt this method for the following
reafons. Suppofing that the water which
I had drawn off, from its fmell and tafte,
poffeffed a quantity of oil, the particles of
which might be fo intimately combined
with it as to render them invifible, I
thought it neceffary to add fuch a body
as might unite with the water and fet the
oil at liberty ; It is well known that wa-"

ter

Experiments on Opium, £y

ter and foluble tartar have a great affinity^
and thus we findj that as foon as the wa-
ter was faturated the oil rofe to the top.
It may be proper here to obferve, that nei-
ther alcohol nor pure alkali would have
anfwered this purpofe ; becaufe they have
an attradlion for oil as well as water.

This experiment clearly proves, that the
conjectures which many writers updn o-
pium have advanced refpedting its eflen-
tial oil were better founded than they
fuppofed. Supposing, from the flrong
fmell and tafle of this water, that it con-
tained moil of the a6live properties of opi-
um, I was anxious to know its effecfls upon
the living fubjedl. With fome diiSculty
I prevailed on a healthy man to take fif-
teen drops of it ; in a fhort fpace of time
it began to operate, and brought on fuch
a vomiting as deterred me from making
any further experiments of this nature.

E E X P E R,

c8 Experiments on Opium^

EX PER. XXVL

With the opium from which this water
was drawn, I now performed the fame ex-
periments as "ufed the in Fourth Clafs, and
with the fame views, viz. to feparate the
different parts : When this was accom-
plifhed, the following experiments were
made.

EX PER. XXVIL

TO a fmall quantity of the relin, when
diffolved in alcohol, I added fome of my
chalybeate water ; after (landing fome
time, a faint blackifli colour appeared, but
by no m.eans fo great as found by the trial
made upon the refin when feparated with-
out the application of heat *. From this
we may very reafonably conclude, that the

aflrin-

* Vid. Expcr. XVIIL

Kxpenments on Opium, sd

afinngent principle refts in the efTentlal
oil ; for Exper. XVllI. proves indubitably,
that the refin, before the application of
heat, poflefled a very conliderable degree
of aftringency, which v^e now find it is
deprived ofFj 1 fuppofe in confequence of
the efTential oil being extra(fled.

I gave three grains of this refin difTol-
ved in acohol to a young girl in perfedl
health, who had never been aiccufiomed to
the ufe of opium, and remained with her
near two hours to examine its operation,
but it produced no feniible effedls. I then
repeated the fame experiment upon a young
man in perfecl health, but could never dif-
cover the fmalleft efFeds from the dofe ;
nor did either of the patients complain of
any unufual feelings. This would feem to
prove, that mod of the aclive properties of
the opium are contained in its efTential
E 2 oiL

6o Experiments on Opium,

oil ; and that the refin, when deprived of
this J has little or no adion on the fyftem.

E X P E R. XXVIIL

Having diffolved a quantity of the gum
in water which was feparated from the
refin, as mentioned in Exper. XXVI. I
added to it a fmall quantity of my chaly-
beate ; a black colour was immediately
produced, as great as that nearly which
appeared in Exper. XIX. This gum was
extremely bitter to the tafte, but had no-
thing of an odorous fmell. It feems rather
difficult to account for the principle of a-
fcringency in the gum ; perhaps it may
have the power, notwichftanding the ap-
plication of heat, to retain a certain quan-
tity of the effential oil, in which it is pro-
bable its aftringency, as well as that of the
reiiDj may reiide.

Experiments on Opium ^ (Si

I gave a girl, fifteen years of age, four
grains of this gum ; in about an hour fhe
began to complain of a great degree of
drowfinefs, which continued to increafe till
fhe went to her bed, where £he reded very
well through the night. I vifited her early
the next morning, and found her in per-
fect health, nor had fhe felt any of thofe
difagreeable fymptoms which commonly
follow fo large a dofe of opium. In about
half an hour after the opium began to o-
perate, her pulfe fell twelve ftrokes in a
minute. During the time of the opera-
tion fhe informed me, that fhe felt no
other effesfts except a very great difpofi-^-
tion to ileep.

To procure the fait faid to be contained
in opium was the objedl which now enga-
ged me ; and as many experiments were
inflituted for this purpofe which did not
fucceed, it will be fufficient to relate
E 3 thofe

6z Experments on Opium,

thofe only by which I accomplifhed my

views. '

E X P E R. XXIX,

TO half an ounce of opium I added one
ounce of nitrous acid diluted with the
fame quantity of diftilled water ; the whole
was then put into a retort, and agitated
for fome confiderable time; red fumes
foon began to appear, and flew off in con-
liderable quantity: as foon as the whole of
thefe pafTed over, I applied the flame of a
fmall lamp to the bottom of the retort for
two hours ; at the end of which time no
air was difcovered to fly ofl'from the mix-
ture: The whole was then poured into an
open vefle], two ounces of diftilled w^ater
added, and they were agitated fome con-
fiderable time J after which the folution
was filtered.

E X P E R.

Experiments on Opium ^ 61^

E X P E R. XXX.

The folution tlius filtered was put into
an open flat vefTel, and evaporated by a
very gentle heat down to about one half
of its quantity ; it was then placed in a
cool fituation, ' where it remained two
days: At the end of this time I examined
it, and found a confiderable number of
Cryftals were formed at the bottom and
fides of the veflel, of the fame figure, co-
lour, and tafte, as thofe procured from fu-
gar. Thefe cryftals v/ere gently wafhed,
dried, weighed, and found to amount to
forty grains. I am induced, however, to
believe, that if this experiment was repeal-
ed with accuracy, a much greater quantity
of fait might be obtained : As it was the
nature or property of this fait which I prin-
cipally wifhed to inveftigate, little refpedl
was paid to its quantity. It now remains
E 4 to

64 Experiments on Opium.

to affign the reafons which induced me to
adopt this method. Having made a num-
ber of different experiments before, and
finding myfelf baffled in the whole of
them, I was led to believe that the opium
contained fome inflammable principle
which, while it remained perfe«fi:, might
prevent the fait from forming. This na-
turally caufed me to vife the nitrous acid;
which, with the addition of heat, 1 fuppo-
fed woud effedually deprive it of fuch ^
property, if it pofTefTed it. 1 flill thought
it necefTary after this prpcefs to evaporate
the mixture; by which I intended to fre^
the folution perfedly of any part of the
nitrous acid contained in it.

Defirous to know the efFeds which this
fait would produce on the living fubje6l, I
gave to a man in perfedl health ten grains
diffolved in water, and remained with him
two hourSj but found it had no fenfible 0-
peration.

Thefe

■ Experiments on Opium. $^

Thefe experiments mud lead us to form
one. of the two following conjedures ; viz.
That this faline matter is either originally
contained in the opium, combined with
the inflammable principle, which being .
deftroyed fufFers the fait to form ; or,
that it is a new compound produced by
fome principle in the nitrous acid com-
bining with fome matter contained in the
opium. Though it appears from the quan-
tity of this fait which 1 gave to a man,
and which had no effedl, that it does not
pofTefs any of the adlive properties of the
opium ; yet this will not give fuch ftrength
to the latter conjedlure as may at firft be
fufpedled ; for when we confider the na-?
ture of the procefs adopted to deprive the
opium of its inflammable principle, it is
juft to conclude, that the fame was fuffi-
cient to deflroy its adlive properties, and
cpnfequently that the fait could not contain
any of them, I am induced to believe

alfo«

66 Experiments on Opium,

alfo, that by the procefs of evaporatioa
the opium was freed wholly of the nitrous
acid. Thefe c i re um (lances lead me to fa-
vour the firfl conjedlure.

Suppofing, from the fimilarity in ap-
pearance, tafle, and colour between this
fait and that produced from fugar, that
their properties were nearly the fame, the
following experiments were inftituted,

E X P E R. XZXL

I DISSOLVED, in a fmall quantity of rofe
water, equal parts of the acid falts of
tartar, fugar, and opium feparately ; to
each of thefe were added a few drops of
Goulard's tindlure, which they all preci-
pitated ; to each was then added a fmall
quantity of diflilled vinegar, which had
no effect whatever : I, next added a few
drops of the nitrous acid, which imme-
diately

Experiments on Opium, 67

diately rediflTolved the lead in all : fo far
thefe different acid falts agreed with each
other.

E X P E R. XXXII.

I THEN added to thefe three acid falts
feparately an equal quantity of lime-water:
the acid falts of fugar and opium precipi-
tated the lime, but the acid fait of tartar
did not. This experiment was repeated
feveral times, and found ever the fame.
From the refult of this I am led to believe,
that the acid falts of fugar and opium
pofTefs properties fimilar to each other: It
is very evident that they differ very much
from the acid fait of tartar ; for when
the lime-water was added, the acid fait of
^nar did not precipitate it.

EXPER,

68 Experiments on Opium*

EX PER. XXXIIL

Having procured five phials of the
fame fize, I put into each half an ounce of
opium cut into very fmall pieces; and then
added five ounces of different menftrua,
viz. alcohol, white-wine, vinegar, redlifjed
fpirits and water equal parts, and com-
mon diflilled water : they were then placed
near a furnace, where the heat was about
ninety- five degrees by thermometer: in
this fituation they remained for five days 5
during which they were carefully and re-
peatedly agitated ; the folutions were then
filtered feparately, and the different refidua
dried and weighed : the quantity of each
is expreffed in the following table.

Water left undiflblved - » grs 199

Vinegar - - - 128

Alcohol - - - 100

White wine - - -=90

Redified fpirits and water - - 88

Thefe

Experiments on Opium, 69

Thefe experiments were repeated, and
found to differ from the firft only in a few
grains: hence we maft conclude, that there
is the greateft propriety in ufing the rec-
tified fpirits and water as the bell men-
ftruum for making our Theb. Tind.

EXPER. XXXIV.

I MADE two ounces of opium into the
confidence of a pafle with common diftil-
led water ; the fame quantity was alfo made
with water impregnated with fixed air :
they were placed in open veffels near a
{love, where the heat was ninety degrees jby
thermometer. In this fituation they re-
mained fome coniiderable time before any
change could be difcovered in either : at
length I found fermentation taking place
in the one containing fixed air; fome con-
iiderable time after this, a number of bub-
bles rofe in the other, and a fmall quan-
tity

^g Experi7nents on Opium ^

tity of air afcaped : this air 1 endeavoured
to colle(5l by means of a bladder which
Was confined over the mouth of the vefTel ;
but the quantity v^as fo fmall as to render
the attempt fruitlefs : the opium was now
dried, and the following experiments made.

E X P E R. XXXV.

A SMALL quantity of each of the fer-
tnented fub fiances was feparately dilToI-
ved in equal parts of redlified fpirits and
water ; 1 added then to them a few drops
of my chalybeate wacer; each ftruck a deep
black colour equal to that found by the
experiments made on opium that had not
been expofed to heat. To two patients
I gave three grains each of this fermented
opium; the dofe began to operate on one
in thirty- five minutes, and produced a
naufea, headach, vertigo, and mod of the
other fymptoms which commonly follow
I fucb

Epe?'iments on Opium, yi

fuch a quantity of opium. The operation
of the opium did not appear fo foon-in the
other patient as common ; but at length
produced fymptoms fimilar to thofe juil
mentioned. From thefe experiments I am
induced to believe, that the opinions of
thofe who attempt to prove that opium
is deprived of its dangerous properties by
fermentation, muft be erroneoufly found-
ed. If the adlive properties of opium de-
pend upon its elTential oil (which I con-
ceive we are led to believe from the ex-
periments in a former part of this work),
it clearly follows, that the moderate de-
gree of heat necelTary to produce fermen-
tation, is by no means fufficient to deprive
it of this property. I was led to ufe the
fixed air in thefe experiments with a view
to difcover its effeds in the procefs offer-
mentation, and alfo to fee whether it pro-
duced any change in the aftringency of
the opium. From the circumflances re-
lated,

1^ Ekperhnents oil Opium,

lated, it will appear very evident, that the
fixed air haftenedthe fermentation; but n6
difference could be difcovered in the af-
tringency of the opium, as that appeared
to be equally great in each.

l>RE-

PREPARATIONS

O F

P 1 U M.

THOUGH many of the preparations of
opiumthatwereintroducedbythemoft
ancient phyiicians are now thrown alide as
totally inefficacious; yet we find, that, led
^way either by blind prejudices or an un-
common attachment to former cuftoms,
foiiie are ftill retained, which will ba
found, by minute invefligation, to be ufe-
lefs — A variety of preparations have been
introduced with a view to deprive the
F opium

,^*SS^

74 Preparations of Opium,

opium of its dangerous properties, and
alfo to render it palatable. The latter may
perhaps be ufeful, but the former feems
to merit little attention.

Opium Colatum^ vel Extractum
Thebaicum.

This preparation is highly recommend-
ed by the London Difpenfatory, as the one
in which we have opium in its pureft
Hate. I truil, however, I have proved by
ExPER. XXII. and XXIII. that it does no£
poiTefs thefe advantages. I not only found
that the drained opium of the fhops con-
tained a confiderable quantity of inactive
matter, but alfo that its adlion Was much
injured by the great degree of heat ufed
in the procefs for preparing it. — Thefe
reafons lead me to believe, that it would
be advifable to throw afide this formula

alto-

Preparations of Opium » jj

altogether, and adopt the one recommend-
ed in ExpER. XXIIL

Laudanum Liquidum, tel Tinctura
Thebaica.

This preparation, highly recommended
by the London Difpenfatory, perhaps me-
rits as miich attention as any other; as
the menftruum ufed not only ac5ts power-
fully upon the opiiira^ but renders it pa-
latable : but even this elegant preparation
has fome inconveniences attending it; as
the opium, with which it is ordered to be
made, is found to contain much inadive
matter, there can be no real certainty in
the dofe. The Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia
has made fome improvements in this for-
mula, by increafing the quantity of opium.
When opium is to be adminillered in a
fluid form, perhaps this will anfwer better
than any other.

Fa Elixir

J 6 Preparations of Opium.

Elixir Paregoricum.

The Edinburgh and London formula
liere differ fomewliat from each other.
The London recommends re(5lified fpirits
of wine as the menflruum, while the Edin-
burgh advifes the vinous fpirit of fal am-
mon: this perhaps may be the mofl power-
ful menflruum. The Edinburgh formula
has alfo increafed the quantity of the
opium. From this lafl improvement I ap-
prehend the greatefl advantages mufl arife:
As the opium in this preparation is the
principal ingredient on which we place
our dependence, it is neceffary to admini-
fler it in fuch a quantity as to enable it
to produce its good effecfls. This prepa-
ration is faid to be ufeful, by allaying the
tickling which provokes frequent cough-
ing ; and is fuppofed alfo to render refpi-
ration eafy. The opium is faid to procure

Preparations of Opium, jj

a temporary relief from the fymptoms,
while the other ingredients tend to re-
move the caufe, and prevent their return.

Pilule Saponace^. {L.)

This is a preparation which I am led to
believe may be produ(flive of fome difa-
greeable confequences: Though the eiTence
of lemons ufed may make it agreeable to
the ftomach, yet if the foap which the
pills contain fhould meet with an acid in
the ftomach, which muft often happen, it
would be immediately decompofed, and
perhaps produce difagreeable effects.

PiLULiE e Styrace. (L.)

This preparation feems to have been in-
tended to prevent the opium from adling
fpeedily: The florax ufed, which is a refi-
nous fubftance, being difficult of folution,
F 3 may

yS Preparations of Opium.

may perhaps anfwer this purpofe ; but
whether any benefits are ever to be ex-
pelled frorn this formula, feerns doubt-
fiTh

PiLULJE Thebaic^, vulgoPAciFjc-E. (£.)

The Jamaica pepper, recommended as
one of the ingredients in this formula,
may perhaps be ufeful, by rendering the
opium palatable: no medicinal virtues can
be expedled from any of the ingredients
except the opium, as their quantities are
too fmall to enable them to produce any
efFe(5ls,

PuLyis e BoLO compofitus cum Opio.

If any good effeds were ever obferved
to follow the ufe of this preparation, I am
induced to think that the opium is intitled
to 1X9 P^J^t of the nieritj bccaufe its quan-
tity

Preparations of Opium. ^g

tity is fo very fmall, when compared with
the other ingredients, as to render it inca-
pable of producing any effedts from its
operation. It is ordered to be given in
fluxes, and other difeafes where aflringents
are required.

Species e Scordio cum Opio. (iL.)

This preparation is fluffed with a num-
ber of ingredients, among which opium is
introduced, but in fo fmall a quantity,
that we are denied the liberty of faying
any falutary effedts arife from its opera-
tion. We are told by fome, that long ex-
perience has now eftablifhed the utility of
this formula: if this opinion be juft, I am
inclined to think, that it is the operation
of the other ingredients, and not that of
opium, which renders it valuable.

F 4 PuLVis

Preparations of Opium,,

PuLVis e Succ^No compofitus. {L)

Many of the ingredients formerly con-
tained in this formula have been lately
thrown afide as totally fuperfluous; and I
am induced to think, if this reform had
been more extenlive, the preparation would
then have been rendered as elegant, and
clearly more valuable, as it even now con-
tains many ingredients which can pofTefs
no medicinal virtues. Two fcruples of
this compofition contain only one grain
of opium. It is retained as an elegant

FXECTARIUM e SCQRDIO VulgO DlA-
SCORDIUM.

The Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia has or-
dered this formula to be changed, and in-
troduced one in, its place under the name

of

Preparations of opium. Si

of Ele(flarium Japonicum, which feems
much more elegant and valuable; but even
in this the quantity of opium is very fmall,
ten fcruples of the eleduary only contain-
ing one grain of the opium. This is con-
sidered as a moderately warm aftringent
and opiate.

CoNFECTio Paulina. (X.)

In this the proportion of opium is one
grain to thirty- two of the other ingredi-
ents. It is ufed as a warm opiate medi-
cine. If this preparation has been found
ufeful, perhaps the opium is intitled to
the fmalleft fliare of the merit, as its quan-
tity is fmall, and all the other ingredients
of a warm and adive nature.

PHILO^

S% Preparations of Opium „

Philonium, Mithridatium, et:
Theriaca. (L.)

These three, together with the two lafl;
formulae, are the only compofitions now
remaining of what have been called the
Officinal Capitals. It is not a little won-
derful, that the phyficians of the prefent
day fhould fuffer themfelves to be led fo
far by their attachments to ancient cu-
floms, as ftill to retain among them the
above formula. We find that the ancients
introduced thefe as antidotes to fecure
them againft the danger of poifons ; but
■when we are told by the light of the pre-
fent day, that thefe poifons of the ancients,
as well as their antidotes, were only the
offsprings of fancy, fliall we even then fuf-
fer blind prejudice to lead us on to adhere
to the fame cuftom ? Though thefe for-
mula contain many very a(5live remedies,

yet

Preparations of Opium, g «

yet they are fo curioully and promifcu-
oufly intermixed, and the operations of
many of them fb very different, that we
cannot expeft much benefit from any of
them ; and clearly the fmalleft mud be ^t^*
tributed to the opium.

LiNIMENTUM AnODYNUM.

This liniment, compofed of camphor
and opium, in very confiderable quanti-
ties, is faid to be an anodyne and difcu-
tient. It is recommended highly to allay
pains in drained limbs, and many other
epical afFedlions.

Trochisci Bechici cum Opio.

These troches are recommended as very
efficacious in tickling coughs; they are
thought to allay the irritation of the fauces,
which tends much to render the cough

trouble-

_:i^t:-:.-'--^.

§4 Preparations of Opium.

troublefome *. Although mofl of the for-
mulas I have mentioned are ftill employ-
ed, and much refpedled by fome phyfi-
cians, yet I am led to think, that we may
reap mod of the advantages of opium from
a preparation of the following nature:

%> opii pur. gr. j.

Extraft. Glycyrrh. grs. ij,
M. fiatPil.

When the opium is given in this manner,
it feldom proves difagreeable to the fto-
mach 5 and the liquorice with which it is
mixed renders the pill eafily foluble: An-
other very lingular advantage in this pre-

ration

* Opium is often^united and adminillered with other
remedies, to prevent their operation on the inteftinesj
as with bark, mercury, &c.

Preparations of Opium, 8 5"

paration is, that we may ever be certain
of the quantity of opium given *. -

* Dr Duncan recommends the following formula:

^ Opii 3i.
Mic. pan. ^is.

Syr. fimp. q. f. fiat mafla divid. in pilulas
granorum quinque.

Though this appears to be a very convenient and ufe-
ful formula, ftill I muft hope to be pardoned when I
fay that fome Inconveniences -may attend it: It ap-
pears to me, that the bread with which the opium is
ordered to be mixed will be apt to lofe its moifture j
and thus becoming hard and dry, muft be diffolved
with difficulty, for this reafon I took the liberty to re-
commend the extraft of liquorice, which retains its
moifture, and promotes the folubility of the opium.

EXPE-

EXPERIMENTS

O N

LIVING SUBJECTS.

EXPERIMENT L

T Dissolved ten grains of the commari
=*- opium of the Ihops in one ounce of
water, and then poured a corifiderable
quantity of the folution into the eyes of
three puppies three weeks old ; the mufcles
of the eyes were foon thrown into motionj
and the puppies exprefTed much pain by
their anions. As foon as they were quiet,

X the

Experiments with Opium, ^f

tlie eves of each were attentively exami-
ned : there appeared a Uttle rednefs in the
tunica conjun<5liva of one, which remain-
ed vilible but a fhort time; the others were
found in a natural ftate.

EX PER. II.

Several drops of the folution ufed in
laft Experiment were poured into my own
eye; the mufcles were inftantiy thrown
into a violent motion, and I felt a moft ex-
cruciating pain for feven minutes, which
was followed by a copious difcharge of
tears : as foon as the eye became quiet, I
had it examined by my friend *, who wit-
neffed the Experiment ; and he conceived
that an unufual degree of rednefs was pro-
duced; but this was flight, and foon difap-
peared. From the violence of the pain
which the folution caufed, I feared fome

injury

* Dr Ramfay from Virginia,

m

Experiments nvith Opium

injury would follow; but tliefe apprehen-*
lions were groundlefs.

EX PER. IIL

One draehm of opium was diffolved ill
one ounce of water, and fome of the folu-
tion thrown into the eyes of the three pup-
pies mentioned in Experiment I. The muf-
cles of each were thrown into a violent mo-
tion, which continued for feven minutes:
as foon as they were quiet, I examined the
eyes of each, and difcovered fome little
rednefs in the whole ; but this was flight-
er than I expected from the violence of
the adions produced by the folution. A
large quantity of fluid was obferved to
flow from their eyes after the motions
ceafeda

E X P E R.

d?2 Living SuhjeSis^ '89

EX PER. IV.

A QUANTITY of che folution laft v.{t^
Was placed near a ftove where the heat was
eighty- five degrees by thermometer; I then
poured feveral drops of it into the eye of
a dog^^The mufcles were inftantly thrown
into a motion, which appeared to be much
'more violent than that produced by the
folution in a cold flate,, and continuedmueb.
longer: when the dog became quiet, I ex-
amined the eyC) and found a very conii-
derable degree of rednefs in the tunica
conjundtiva, which remained vifible fome
confiderable time, attended with a copious
difcharge of fluid.

EXPER. V,

Twenty drops of this warm folution
were poured into one of the eyes of a rab-

G bit,

90 Experiments with Opium

bit, and into the other the fame quantity
of the foiution in a cold (late; the eye in-
to which the warm fokition was poured
became much fooner diflurbed than the
other, the adlion was more violent, and
continued much longer. When they were
quiet, I examined each; and found the one
to which the warm foiution had been ap-
plied confiderably inflamed; the other eye
appeared much more red than natural. I
endeavoured to difcover the length of time
the rednefs might continue in each; and
found, that that produced by the warm fo-
iution difappeared in about half an hour^j
the other only remained viiible fifteen mi-
nutes. From this it appears, that a mo-
derate degree of heat added to opium iii-
creafes its a<flion confiderably, and caufes
its efFedls to be produced much fooner
than when in a cold flare. To fatisfy my-
felf fully, whether this difference arofe
-from the heat increafing the adlive proper-
ties

on Living SuhjeSis, ^i

ties of opium or from the warmth of the
folution only, I applied the fame degree of
heat to fome water, and then poured a
coiifiderable quantity of it into the eye of
a dog ; the animal appeared at firfl a little
uneafy, but this was momentary: when
the eye was examined, no preternatural
rednefs could be feen.

E X P E R. VI.

1 LAID bare the fibres of the glutei
aiufcles of a rabbit, and then poured ou
them a confiderable quantity of the ftrong
folution* in a cold (late; the greateft at-
tention was given, but no motion could
be difcovered in the part. This experi-
ment was then repeated on another rab-
bit ; but the refult was ever the fame. I
G 2 then

* The ftroiig folutiori is, one drachm of opium to
one ounce of water.

92 Experhnents with Opium

then laid bare the mufcles of the thorax
and abdomen, and applied a coniiderable
quantity of the fame folution : the event
proved the fame as before; no change what--
ever could be difcovered,

EICPER. VIL

Having laid bare the crural artery of
a rabbit, I divided it, v^hen the blood in-
iiantly iiew out with confiderable ve-
locity ; fome of my ftrong folution was
then applied to the divided artery, the
ends of v?hich in a fhort fpace of time con-
traded, and the hemorrhagy ceafed. The
fame experiment w^as performed on the brs-
ehial artery vvith like fuccefs,

E X P E R. VIIL

1 OPENED the thorax of a rabbit, and hj

dlffe^flion placed the heart in full view y

on Living SuhjcSfs, c^^

the aorta was then divided, and the ani-
mal bled till it expired. After the heart
had remained motionlefs ten minutes, and
every appearance of life had ceafed for the
fame length of time^ I poured on the hearc
a quantity of my flrong folution ; it was
inftantly thrown into motion, which con-
tinued two minutes; I then added more of
the folution, and the a<5lion v/as again re-
newed. By thus repeating my applica-
tions, the motions of the heart were fup-
ported more than ten minutes. It occur-
red to me, after I had made this experi-
ment, that water applied in the fame man-
ner would have limilar effects. To deter-
mine this, I put another rabbit in the fame
fituation, and then applied a quantity of
cold water to his heart. As foon as the
£rft application was made, it was roufed
into adlion, but only moved five times \
the fecond application only produced one
G 3 feeble

04. Essperments nvlth Opium

feeble ftrokcj and no motion could be rai-^

fed afterward by the fame methods.

»

E X P E R. IX.

After making a fmall opening into the
abdomen of a rabbit, a quantity of my
llrong folution was thrown in, and the
wound elofed to prevent the admiffion of
air. The animal remained in this fitua-^
half an hour, when I opened the part, exa-?
mined and found the external coats of the
inteftines and neighbouring parts much
inflamed,

E X P E R. X,

I OPENED the thorax "of a rabbit, and,
without doing any injury to the large
blood-veffels, placed the heart in view. A
quantity of my flrong folution was then
applied to itj which fo accelerated the mo-
% tiom

on Living Suhje&s, o ?

tions as to render it impoffible to number
them : By renewing the application, thefe
were continued for fome conliderable time.
The furface of the heart now appeared un-
commonly red, and continued fo fome
time.

EXPER. XL

I OPENED two rabbits, and, without do-
ing any injury to the large blood- velFels,
placed the hearts of each in view. A
quantity of Volat. Alkali was then applied
to the heart of one, and to the other fome
of my ftrong folution. Though the great-
eft attention was given to the motions of
each by myfelf and friend *, no differ-
ence could be difcovered. By renewing
the applications they were continued in
aflion fome confiderable time : at length
G 4 the

* Dr Ramfay, who witnefled moft of my experl«
/Rents on living fubjedls.

gS Experiments with Opium^

the one to which the volatile alkali
been applied ceafed to move ; in half a
minute after, the adions of the other end-
ed ; and neither could be again roufed by
any other application.

E X P E R, XII.

I THREW a quantity of my {trong folu-
tion into the redum of a rabbit, and con^
lined the animal fo as to have it retained
half an hour: the inteftine was then open-
ed, and evident marks of inflammation ap-^
peared in all thofe parts to which the folu-^
tion had been applied,

EXPER. XIII.

I MADE one drachm of pulverifed opium
into the form of a cataplafm, and after rub-
bing the inner part of a man's arm well
wiih a flannel cloth, applied itj where it

oil Living SuhjeBs^ "yj

remained twenty-four hours : at the end
of this time I vifited the man, and inq-al-
red whether he had been unufually afFedled
by the appUeation : He anfwered repeated-
ly in the negative. The part to which the
opium had been applied, was now exami-
ned ; but no marks of inflammation could
be difcovered,

E X P E R» XIV.

Four drachms of pulverifed opium were
now made into a cataplafm, and applied
to the inner part of a man's thigh which
had been rubbed with flannel. It remain-
ed on the part twenty- four hours; when I
removed it, and inquired whether the pa-
tient had difcovered any effects from the
application ; he aflured me that the opi-
um had produced no feniible operation.
From thefe experiments I am led to believe^
that the common received opinion refpe6l~

^S Experiments with Opium

ing the operation of opium, externally ap-*
plied, muft be erroneoufly founded; and
though this opinion has been given to the
world by fome very eminent men, ftill I
feel myfelf bound to contradidl it from
the refult of thefe experiments. I am led
alfo to believe, that opium applied to any
part protected by the common coverings
of the body, can never produce any fenfi-
ble efFedls, unlefs the feniibility of the part
is much increafed by inflammation, as in
rheumatifm and gout.

E X P E R. XV.

I LAID bare the abdominal mufcles of a
dog, and applied to the part fix drachms
of opium in the form of a cataplafm. In
about one hour and a half the animal be-
gan to be afFedled, and at the end of two
liours was completely convulfed. He re-
mained in this lituation fome considerable

time I

on Llvivg SnhjeBs, g^

time; and when the motions were about to
ceafe, the, dog was compelled to fwallow
one ounce of opium diflblved in water: in
a ftiort fpace of time his convullions re-
turned in a much more violent degree than
before, and in lefs than two hours he died.
I immediately opened his ftomach, and ex-
amined the coats very attentively, but
could not difcover any marks of inflam™
mation.

. E'XPER. XVI.

I DISSOLVED five grains of common opi-
um in one ounce of water, and then with
a fyringe threw into the urethra of a man
a quantity of this folution ; but it neither
produced any pain or inflammation in the
part.

EXPER,

loo Experiments with Opium

E X P E R, XVII.

I DISSOLVED one drachm of opium ia
one ounce of water, and threw into the
urethra of the fame man a coniiderable
quantity of this foiution ; he foon begaa
to complain of a burning heat in the partj,
which he faid was fever e» In two hours
after this I examined the penis, and found
many marks of inflammation about the
orifice ;, this remained vifible but a fhort
fpace of time, and was not follov/ed by any
difcharo-e.

o

E X P E R. XVIIL

I MADE fome of the foiution lafl uJ
moderately warm, and threw a quantity
of it into my own urethra; it foon began
to operate, and gave me very fevere pain,
which lailed five minutes : the penis was

exa-

on living SubjeBs, sol

examined very attentively, but no fymp«
toms of inflammation could be difcovered
externally. In half an hour after the expe-
riment was made I attempted to pafs my
urine, and felt fome fymptoms of heac in
the urethra, but thefe were not fevere*

E X P E R. XIX,

I DISSOLVED one drachm and a half of
opium in one ounce of water ; and after
adding to it ninety degrees of heat by ther-
mometer, a fmall quantity w^as thrown in-
to the urethra of a man fifty years of ages
in a little time he began to complain of a
very fevere pain, which continued leverai
minutes, attended with a great degree of
heat. Ten minutes after this I examined
his penis, and found a confiderable rednefs
round the orifice of the urethra. He was now
defired to pafs a fmall quantity of urine ;
which he effedled, but not without much

pain I

'^^^..

-^

io2 Experiments with OpiuM

pain ; as from his own account every
fymptom had taken place which charadle**
rifes dyfuria.

EX PER. XX.

A QUANTITY of the folucioo laft ufed
was thrown into the vagina of a bitch j in
a little time the animal began to be vio-"
lentlj agitated, and continued fo feveral
minutes. As foon as (he was perfecflly
quiet, I examined the parts, and found
that the labia were increafed confiderably
in iize, and the rednefs of the internal parts
appeared much greater than natural. I was
extremely anxious to know whether any
preternatural difcharge from the vagina
would follow this experiment, but was dif--
appointed by an unespedled accidents

E X P E R«

on Living Subje&s^ 103

EX PER. XXI.

I MIXED together a quantity of cauflic
and flrong folution of opium ; it was then
applied to a piece of dead flefli : the cau-
flic began immediately to acft, and deftroy-
ed the fame quantity of flefli as if no
opium had been united with it : this was
difcovered by applying to fome of the
fame fie£h the pure cauflic alone. This
experiment was inflituted with a view to
difcover the propriety of the prefent pre-
vailing opinion, which is, that opium de-
prives the cauflic of its power to a(fl on
ilefh. From the refult of this experimentp
I am juftified in faying, that this generally
received opinion mufl be fallacious; and,
like many others now entertained, which
are faid to be the refult of experimentg
could only have received birth in the clo-
fet. It is well known that opium, if ap-
plied in coniiderable quantity to a part

de-

t04 Experimcnh' with Ophan

deprived of its common coverings, will
dellroy its feniibility by ailing on the
nerves, and confequently lelTen the paia
arifing from the operation of caullic.

EXPER. XXIL

Six grains of the pureft refin of opium
were concealed in a piece of bread, and
then given to a dog ; his adlions were at-
tended to for fix hours, but no change
could be difcovered in him. I then had
him killed, and laid open the ftomach, in
which the pill was found; the fnrfacewas
foft, and appeared at firft view to have
i)een operated upon. The pill was dried,
accurately weighed, and found to have
loft one grain.

EXPER. XXIIL
I FORCED Open the mouth of a rabbiCss

2

on Living SuhjeBs, 105

aild then introduced ten grains of the pure
refin of opium in form of a pill; a quan-
tity of water was poured into his mouth,
which convdyed the pill into the ftomach.
Finding that the animal remained undif^
turbed for fix hours, I had it killed, and
opened the ftomach, in which the pill was
found; it was then dried, weighed, and
found to have loft nothing in quantity.

Thefe experiments were inftituted with
a view to difcover certainly, whether the
gaftric fluid has any power by which ic
can difTolve pure refinous fubftances ; from
the refult of thefe, we are authorifed to
fay that it has no fuch power.

EX PER. XXIV.

I mixed intimately together five grains
of pure refin of opium and ten grains of
the extradl of liquorice; this was forced

H . into

166 Experiments ivitb Opium

into the rtomach of a rabbit in form of a
pill ; in lefs than fix hours the animal
feemed much afFeded : it was then killed,
the ftomach opened, and only one grain
of the pill remained undifTolved. From
this experiment it appears very evident,
that the extra(5l of liquorice, when inti-
mately combined with a pure refinous
fubftance, renders it foluble in the 9lq^
.mach.

EX PER. XXV.

To a healthy man thirty years of age^,
I gave two grains of the pureft refin of
opium difTolved in alcohol. When the dofe
was given, his pulfe meafured fixty flrokes
in a minute : in half an hour he complain-
ed of an unufual heat about his ftomachj
attended with fome affeflion in his head.
His pulfe increafed now twelve flrokes in
frequency, and remained fo five minutes ,

after

\

bfi Living Buhje^Si, t^<j

after which it fell down to fifty- five,
and became remarkably full and ftrong %
headach, vertigo, and drowfinefsj now came
on, which continued fevere two hours. No
thirfl or increafed perfpiration followed; the
man continued coftlve forty- eight hours*

EX PER. XXVl.

FotJR days after the lad experiment^ 1
gave the fame man three grains of pure
refin diflblved in alcohol. In half ail hour
it began to operate, by warming his fto-
mach and heart, as he obferved, and then
producing vertigo : he then obferved that
he felt as if he had taken too much whifky.
His pulfe had now increafed three ftrokes
in frequency; but in fifteen minutes fell
fourteen, and became very full and flrongj
he complained of much languor and
'weaknei's for feveral hours after, attended
with a lofs of appetite*

H 2 . E X-"

lo8 Experiments with Opium

E X P E R. XXVII.

To a healthy young man I gave four
grains of the gummy part of opium dif-
folved in water; in about forty minutes
lie began to complain of a great drowfi-
nefs and difpolition to fleep, attended with
a depreffion of fpirits. I remained with
him one hour and a half; during which
time no fymptoms, except the drowiinefs,
appeared ; being compelled to leave the
patient, he was placed under the diredlion
of a very intelligent man : after feveral
hours had elapfed I returned, and received
the following account : " A^ the patient
^* was fitting in a chair, he was taken with
*^ a violent ficknefs at his ftomach and con-
*' fufion in his head, but no vomiting fol-
'' lowed : in a few minutes he fainted, and
" fell on the floor, where he remained mo-
" tionlefs fome time." The man under
whofe protedion I left him, had his body
_. 4 and

on Living SubjeBs, 109

and extremities well rubbed with flan-
nel; by which he recovered, and was put
to bed ; but informed me that he could
not ileep, as he was diflurbed through
the night by frightful dreams. His
urine was confiderably increafed in quan-
tity; and his thirft, from his own account,
was infatiable* This experiment muft
convince us of the fallacy on which an
opinion now prevailing is founded, viz.
that the gummy part of opium, in a pure
(late, pofFefTes none of thofe dangerous pro-
perties which are found in the refin.

EXPER. XXVIII.

To a healthy young female I gave three
grains of the gummy part of opium dif-
folved in water; in one hour fhe began to
complain of a violent ficknefs at her fto^
mach, headach, and drowfinefs: her pulfe
in ten minutes after this fell fifteen flrokes
H 3 in

no Experiments with Opium

in a minute, and became very full and
ftrong • fhe remained in this lituation one
hour and a half, when all the fymptoms
difappeared except her headacb. Her ap-
petite was fo much injured, that fhe could
not take food for twenty-four hours.

EX PER, XXIX.

I GOT two patients into the fame room,
the one a man thirty years of age, and the
other a female about twenty- five. To the
man I gave five grains of the refin of
opium diffolved in alcohol, and to the wo^
man as much of the gum dilTolved in
water. In half an hour the dofe began
to operate on the man, and produced a
violent iicknefs at his ftomach, vertigo,
and head-ach: the ficknefs at his flomach
did not produce a vomiting, but the other
fymptoms increafed to fo violent a degree
^sto c?,ufe a kiad of raving ; from his own

iM Uvlng SuhjeSls^ j 1 1

account, he felt every fymptom of drunk-
ennefs : his puife at firfl rofe fix ftrokes
in frequency ; but in fifteen minutes fell
twelve, and became very full and ftrong.
Thefe fymptoms were followed by a great
thirfl and copious difcharge of urine. It
"was near one hour after the woman took
her dofe before it began to operate ; the
firfl fymptoms fhe complained of were a
naufea and great degree of drowfinefsj the
latter increafed to fo great a degree that
ihe was unable to fit up : her pulfe fell in
a little time fifteen ftrokes, and became
extremely full; foon after getting on her
bed, {he was affcdled with violent con-
vulfions, which were relieved by the ope-
ration of a few grains of Ipecacuanha and
fixty drops of sther : fhe continued to be
affeded for two days after, and her ap-
petite was much impaired. Thele experi-
ments were inftituted with a view to dif-
i:over, whether there was any ditFerence
li 4 m

It 1 2 Experiments ivith Opium

in the operation of the refinous and gummy
parts of opium : from the refult we muft
conclude, that the relin is polTefTed of pro^
perties much more adiye than the gum.

E X P E R. XXX.

To a woman fifty years of age, . who
had been a Httle accuftomed to ufe opium,
I gave fix grains of the common kind
found in the fhops, in form of pill; in
£fty minutes after fhe had taken the dofe
her ilomach became afFecled, and a violent
vertigo foon followed j from her ov;n ac-
count fhe now felt every fymptom of
drunkennefs ; fhe confefTed that {he had
been a few days before intoxicated by the
free ufe of whifl^y ; and faid, that the ope-
ration of the opium was fimilar to that
c>f the fpirits. When the opium firft be-
gan to operate, her pulfe was very irre-
gular | in fifteen minutes after, it fell

fourtee?:^

on Living SubjeBs, H3

fourteen flrokes; and though very feeble
before the operation of the dofe, became
now extremely full: after mofl of the
violent fymptoms ceafed, Ihe had repeated
inclinations to make urine, which was often
difcharged in large quantities: her appetite
continued bad for two days, attended with
coftivenefs and general debility,

EX PER, XXXI.

Some months before I engaged in theib
experiments, my friend Dr James Ramfay
from Virginia, anxious to know the effeds
of opium, made the following experiment
on himfelf, which he communicated to
yne.

" Finding myfelf one night at eleven
" more difpofed to fleep than ufual, I
*' determined to try the efFeds of opium,
^- and took immediately thirty drops of the

** Theb.

£14 Experiments *witj3 opium

€1

U

Theb.Tindlure. The dofe foon began to
operate, and produced fuch enlivening
effe6ls as to enable me to profecute the
" ftudy in which I was then engaged. In
'' this cheerful lituation I remained till one
" o'clock in the morning, when I found
** a violent drowfinefs coming on, which
*' in a fiiort fpace of time increafed to fuch
" a degree, as to render it difEcult for me
" to avoid falling to fleep. I then took
*' between ninety and one hundred drops
*' of the fame Theb. Tin<fl. which foon
*' roufed me from my drowfinefs, and in~
** vited me once more to engage in my
•* buiinefs. This difpofition continued but
** a ihort time : I foon found myfelf fo
" exhilarated, as to grow carelefs of my
** occupation, and rather inclined to in-
" dulge in an excefs of gaiety ; which was
" gratified for fome time by ridiculous
•* excefTes of dancing, linging, &c. The
^* powers of my mind Hill remained fo

" perfet^,

on Living Suhje&s^ ji^

^^ perfe(5l, as to enable me to attend to my
" cqndudl, and to examine the ftate of my
** pulfe, which was ftrong and full ; but
*' not having a proper watch, could not
" afcertain its frequency. Thefe fymp-
*' toms foon increafed to fo violent a de-
** gree as to alarm me; the pulfations of
*' the temporal arteries became uncom-
•* monly flrong, and every objedl appeared
*' multiplied and covered with a mift.
*' At this moment I arofe from my feat;
" but foon found myfelf unable to walk,
** as my legs felt much lighter than ufual;
*' with much difficulty I reached the
" window and hoifted it, expelling to
" be relieved by the frefh air ; but in
" this was difappointed, as the vertigo
" feemed much increafed by it. I now
" with the utmoft difficulty undrefTed my-
" felf and got to bed, where I remained
" almoft motionlefs, being unable to move
^' my limbs-, my imagination was fo di^

" flrelTed

1 1 6 Experiments with Opium

" ftrefTed by the appearances of horrid
" images, that I could not clofe my eyes
" till feven, when I fell into an interrupted
" flumber. At ten I rofe from my bed ;
" and finding myfelf much debilitated,
*' and inclined to vomit, took thirty drops
" more of the Theb. Tindl. which fo far
" removed my complaints as to enable me
" to drefs : my appetite was fo much in-
** juredjthati could eat no breakfaft, drank
" only a difli of tea, and then went out
*' to purfue my daily occupations. After
" expoling myfelf for fome little time,
*' grew fick at my ftomach, and threw up
^* a quantity of bilious matter. About
" twelve my appetite returned, when I
" eat a fait herring, and drank a bottle of
" porter. From this time continued well
" till three in the evening, when the fick-
" nefs at my ftomach returned, which
" was removed by a glafs of rum and
^* water. At feven I went to the play-

** houfe.

en Living Subje&f^ iij

" houfe, where I remained only a fhort
** fpace of time, the heat being fo violent
" as to caufe a return of all the dangerous
" fymptoms : was then carried to my
" lodgings, where I was feized with con-
" vulfions ; which my phyfician informed
" me were relieved by warm applications
" to my extremities and a dofe of mufk."

EX PER. XXXII.

To an healthy young man I gave two
ounces of the common vegetable acid ; in
fifteen minutes after, he took eighty drops
of Theb. Tindl. I remained with him two
hours. Juft before my departure he com-
plained of a little naufea and headach:
thefe fymptoms, as he informed me, con-
tinued but a fhort fpace of time; and when
they were removed, he felt himfelf as
ufual, except a little ficknefs about his
flomach. 1 attended very particularly to

his

1 1 S Experiments with Op,

ikis pulfe, but could difcover no change ii\
it.

EXPER. XXXIIL

I GAVE a boy, twelve years of age, one
ounce of cammon vinegar, and in fifteen
minutes after forty drops of Theb. Tindl*
In half an hour it produced a fevere fick-
nefs at his ftomach, but no vomiting i
his head now began t^ be a little affedl-'
ed, but did not continue fo long; his
pulfe remained fleady, except when the
naufea appeared ; at that moment was ir-
regular. Thefe fymptoms foon went off,
and the boy was reftored to his ufual fitu*
ation. Experiments fimilar to thefe were
made on dogs and rabbits; the opium
was feldom found to have much efFedl, if
an acid had been previoufly given.

From experiments like thefe muft have

arlfen the opinion which led fome to be-

2 lieve.

«K Living Subje6ls» % iq

lieve, that acids, adminiflered after a large

dofe of opium, though it h^d operated,

would corred the dangerous properties of

that remedy : to this I cannot fubfcribe ;

for to me it appears evident, that the acid

can only have the power of rendering the

nerves of the (lomach, upon which it

acfls as well as the opium, infenfible to the

operation of that remedy: this the acid

cannot efFecfl after the opium has operated.

To fatisfy myfelf fully on this fubjedl, I

made feveral experiments on frogs and

dogs ; and found, that the acid, if given.

after the opium began to operate, had

not the fmallefl power of correding its

dangerous properties*.

EXPER.

* Dr Webfter, in his Syllabus, has the following
obfervation: *' Acids render the ftomach lefs capable
<* of being a£led upon by other matters, as fpirits, ale^
« &c." TheDoftor in his ledlures extends this obfer-
<* ration, by faying, that the a6lions of hemlock, opi-
** um, and ipecac, arc moderated much by the addition
« of an acid,"

l2o Epefinients with Oplmii

EXPER. XXXIV,

To four meiij whofe ages and conftkil-*
tions appeared to be nearly fimilar, I gave
the following quantities and forms of
opium, viz. to the firft, I gave two grains
of the purefl relin of opium diflblved in
alcohol; to the fecond,the fame quantity of
pure gum difFolved in water; to the third,
forty drops of Theb. Tindl. and to the
fourth, the fame quantity of Theb. Tind.
heated to the degree of ninety by thermo-
meter. The relin began to operate in
twenty-eight minutes, and produced the
common fymptoms. The gum began to
operate in fifty-five minutes ; the Theb.
Tindl. in a cold flate, in thirty-eight mi-
mutes; and that to which the heat had
been applied, in thirty- two minutes. Thefe
experiments were repeated the day follow-
ing on the fame perfons; and though I

muft

oh Living SuvjeSiSi tii

foufl'confefs that they did riot agr^e exadly
with the fifft; yet the difference was fmall,
and the reiin diiTcJi\*ed in alcohdi eVer dif-^
covered its adUon firft, "

As thefe experiments were inftituted
with ^ view only to difcdver the time in
which the different forms of the opium
would operate, I did not fuppofe it ne-"
ceffary to attend to the different fymptorris,
and particularly as experiments for this
purpofe have been already related.

If we are at liberty to judge ffom tliefe
experiments, it mufl Appear evident, that
the refindus part of opium, when diffolved
in alcohol, has the power of producing its
atftion much fooner than the other prepa-
rations of that remedy. This mufl eithet
lead us to fuppofe that the refin poffeffes
moft of the acflive parts of the opium ; or
that its menftruum, alcohol, affifts in pro-*
I ducing

1 2 1 Experiments with Opium

ducing its fpeedy operation. It feems evi-
dent alfo, that by the addition of heat, the
Theb. Tind. is enabled to produce its ef-
feds much fooner than in the common
form.

Thefe experiments may perhaps at fir ft
view appear better calculated to pleafe the
curious mind than to afford real utility j but
I am led to believe, that v^hen they are
attentively inveftigated, we Ihall eafily
difcover their benefits, it is well known
to all phyficians, that many difeafes occur
in which it is neceflfary to procure the ope-
ration of an opiate as foon as pofTible : It
is in thefe cafes, then, that the advantages
of thefe experiments will difcover them-
felves.

Such are the experiments which I have
inftituted for afcertaining the effedls and
the virtues of opium. It might be expec-

ted^

on Liuing SubjeBs, 123

ted, that, after thefe, I fliould proceed to
give my opinion concerning the operation
of this excellent remedy ; but many rea«
fons difTuade me from entering at all into
a difcufliori of this poinc. This fiibje(fL
has of late occupied the attentioii of moft
medical men ; and various opinions with
regard to it have been brought forth and
fupported by writers of the higheft emi-
nence. The author of this Treatife is too
fenfible of his owii weaknefs and infuf-
ficiency to obtrude upon the world any
fpeculations fupported merely by his llen«
der authority ; and efpecially in a fubjcd
upon which fo niuch has been faid, that
to fay more would perhaps only tend to
render more perplexed what of itfelf is al-
ready fufficiently intricate, and to involve
in greater darknefs an inquiry which
clouds of authors have already obfcured.
The reader of this Treatife, it is therefore
hoped, will pardon the Author for not en-
I 2 tering

S24 Experiments ivith Opium

tering into a fubjed thus darkened by the
fhades of controverfy; and where both
might thus bewilder themfelves, and be
loft in the furrounding gloom.

Inftead, therefore, of venturing upon an
inquiry fo hazardous, fo difficult, and fo
full of conjecfture ; inftead of committing
himfelf in a conteft with any writer by
broaching any general theory whatever ;
the Author has thought it fafer, and by far
the moft eligible mode, to detail with ac-
curacy and preciiion thofe experiments
which he made with the greateft care, and
from which every impartial man may de-
duce fuch concluiions as the experiments
themfelves fliall appear to warrant. He
has produced fads for which he can vouch;
the refult of thefe fads he leaves with a
difcerning public. Their real value and
confequence will be the better perceived,
from their being naked and deftitute of all

arti"

on Living SuhjeSfs, 125

artificial glofs,. of all adventitious decora-
tion. And the higheft wifli of the Author
will be gratified, if his induflry fhall have
furnifhed the materials upon which the
ingenuity of other men may ere(5l what
he himfelf is cautious of rearing^

I3 o n

a THE

S E

A S the operation of opium has for fome
•^ •*• time pall been the fubjedl of much
difpute, the attention of mod medical men
has been naturally called forth to this re-
medy ; hence it has been recommended in
fo many different difeafes, that to enume-
rate thefe would exceed the limits of this
Treatife» Suchj therefore, alone will be

men-

^:k.

On the U/es of Opium* I ij

mentioned as feem moft particularly to re«
quire this remedy. But before thefe are
detailed, it will be proper to introduce the
opinions of the ancients refpedling the ope-
ration of opium, and the forms in which
they ufed it : as they had no favourite
theories to fupport, we fhall find their
conclufions deduced from undoubted
facls.

In Chardin's travels through Periia, we
find the following obfervations : " The
" free ufe of opium among the Perfians
" appears to have been introduced to al-
" lay the uneafinefs and troubles of old
" rnen in great places, who were forbid
" the ufe of wine by Mahomet. They
*' have feveral preparations of the poppy
** which they ufe for this purpofe ; the
" firft is the juice of the poppy itfelf, which
** they ufe in form of a pill of the bignefs
*' of a pin's head at firft, and then gra-
I 4 dually

a s\

6i

% 28 . On the Ufes of Opiuntl

^' dually increafe it to the fize of a pea|
" iaorie hour's time they begin to feel
^* its elFeds. The Perfians fay it enter^
*- tains their fancies with pleafant vifions,
" and a kind of rapture ; they very foon
-grow merry, then burft: into a laugh,
" which continues till they die away in a
fwQon. It is found by thofe who have
a difpofition for jefting, to increafe that
extremely. After the operation of this
remedy, the body grows cold, penfivej
".,and heavy ; in this dull and indolent
^' fituation it remains till the dofe is re-
"^^ peated. Thofe of the Perfians who are
^' accufS:omed to nfe this remedy cannot
" live without it; the want of it produces
" depreffion of fpirits, and a languor and
" debility are inftantly difcovered in the
" countenance, The Turks fay they can-
" not live without opium, unlefs wine is
" given them in its place ; and even then
■'' they are not cpn'centj as they fay that

winq

On the XJfes of Opium, 12,^

" wine does not operate fo powerfully on
^^ them as opium."

It is faid by fome writers *, that among
many of the Turks opium is ufed to the
quantity of ten drachms in the day. Kerr
obrerves, that it is the cuftom of the Chi-
nefe to fmoke opium in their pipes in the
place of tobacco ; and this they do becaufe
it produces a livelinefs in them. Chardin
mentions the following circumftances i
" When a Perfian finds himfelf in a dif-
** trefTed fituation, he has recourfe to a
^* piece of opium as big as his thumb, and
*' immediately after taking this he drinks a
*' glafs of vinegar; this throws him into a
" fit of la\ighter and every extravagancy
" of mirth, which terminates in death:
"hence this common faying among them,
*' When you are ijuearied ivith life^ have re"
^* courfe to opium and 'vinegar^ , and then you

((

^ Garcias.

1 30 On the Ufes of Opium,

" die merrily^ There is a decodion which
" is made of the (hells and feeds of the
" poppy, this the Perfians call Locquenori
*' they fell it publicly in all their cities as
** they do coffee •. it is curious to obferve
" the countenances of thofe who ufe this
*' deeodlion, before its operation, and when
*' its effects have taken place. When they
" come into the decodlion-houfe, they are
*' dull, pale, and languid ; but as foon as
" the remedy begins to operate, they are
*^ quite changed: they run into all the ex-
" travagancies of mirth and laughter, and
*' fuch an uproar is produced^ that it would
*^ be more proper to give it the name of
"the Mad-houfe than Deco(5lion-fliop,
*' From thefe efFeifts of opium the Perfians
^' call it a Rapture, and maintain that there
is a fupernatural and divine impulfe in
that frame of mind which ppium pro-
^* duces."

« :

On the Ufis of Opium, \ 3 i

It is obferved in the hiflory of Egypt,
that the bakers in that country fprinkle
the feeds of poppies upon their bread, be-
tcaufe it is a provocative to fleep ; and the
lower clafs of people eat the feeds. Ruf^
fell, in his Hiftory of Aleppo, has given
the following remarks on the ufe of opium
among the Turks, *■ Opium is not fo
** highly efleemed by the inhabitants of
*' Aleppo as thofe of Gonftantinople and
*' fome other places; nor could I ever find
" it fo generally taken in Turky as is com-
" monly apprehended, it being chiefly
** confined to the debauchees. They who
*' take it in large quantities are called Te-
" reakys, from the term Theriaca Andro-
** machi, which perhaps may countenance
** a conjedlure, that this was the original
*' form in which they ufed it ; At prefent,
" they not only ufe it in that form, but
^* have various other eledluaries or confec«
^^ tions wherein it is mixed with aroma-

** tics.

'13^ On the XJfes of Opium]

" tics. Some few nfe it pure | and tlie
** greateft quantity I ever knew taken was
** three drachms in twenty-four hours,
** The immediate effedl that I obferved it
** to have upon fuch as were addicfled to
** its ufCj was, that their fpirits were exhi"
*' larated ; and from a dozing depreiTed
" ftate, they .became adive and alert. The
'* confequences of a long ufe of it are,
*' that they foon look old and emaciated,
" like fuch as, in Europe^ have ruined their
^^ conftitutions by hard drinking^"

How the benefits of opium were difco-
vered in certain difeafes^ feems rather dif-
0cuk to explain i but certain it is^ that

this remedy has been long iince ufed in
intermittent fevers ; and fome very old
writers * depended wholly on. this remedy
for a curCo f Many have advifed it to be '

given

* Schulz, Dalberg.

f ParacelfuSj EtmuJJcrj and others.

On the Ufes of Opium, 133

given before the hot ftage, or at the mo-
ment of its appearance ; by which, it is
faid, the difeafe has often been removed.
X Others are of opinion, that it fhould be
adminiftered one hour before the hot ftage;
by which the paroxyfm is fhortened, and
the patient freed from pain. From fome
very late experiments, it is found, that gi-
ven in the hot ftage, opium, as well as vo-
latile alkali, has been obferved to allay the
heat, thirft, head-ach, and delirium: to in-
duce fweat and deep ; to cure the difeafe
with the lefs bark, and without leaving
abdominal obftrucflions or dropfy.

These efFeds, perhaps, firft fuggefted
its ufe in typhous fevers; and we find that
many phyficians of the higheft eminence
depend now principally on this remedy
for a cure. Dr Cullen, in his Materia Me-
dica, ol^ferves, that opium may be ufed in

this

X Murray.

334 ^^ ^^^ ^f^^ of Opium.

this difeafe as a flimulant, becaiife the tis
titae is very low; but when the remiffions
are diflindi, it fhoiild then be adminiflered
as a fedativee

The danger vtrhich phyficians formerly
apprehended from the ufe of this remedy
feems now to ha^e vanifhed; and fadls are
not wanting to prove, that even the mod
cautions have of late adminiftered it in the
latter ftage of typhous fevers, in form of
Theb. Tindt. to the quantity of eighty dropSj
three times in twenty- four hours. The
great fuccefs attending this pradlice, has
not only rendered it very common, but
eilablifhed opium as one of our mod va-
luable remedies in thefe difeafes.

The propriety of uling opium in the
gout, has of late produced fome conten»
tions among phyficians. Some very emi-
nent men conlider this as a difeafe of a
1 • highly

On the Ufes of Opium, i^s

highly inflammatory nature, and confe«
quently forbid the ufe of opium: others
of equal eminence teach us, that the dif-
eafe depends upon debility, and can only
be removed by rtimulant remedies; among
which they confider opium the moft pow-
erful. Many unequivocal cafes have of
late been brought, which prove, that the
gout has been efFeflually cured by opium
adminiftered in large dofes at the firil at-
tack of the difeafe.

To Sydenham we are indebted for the
difcovery which proves, that opium is one
of our mod valuable remedies in the fmall-
pox. This author has very juftly obferved,
that it promotes a fr-^e fuppuration, in-
creafes the falivation, and all other fecre-
tions which have been found fo very fer-
viceable in this difeafe: even in thofe cafes
where there appeared to be a determina-
tion to the brain and delirium, he admi-

niftered

136 On the tJfis of Opiii7n»

niftereci opium till he had removed t
fymptomse When the convulfions before
eruption are coniiderable, portending the
confluent or typhous kind, opium and wine
are coniidered as the principal remedies
from which we are to expecft relief.

The benefits arifing from the ufe of
opium in phthifis pulmonalis, or con-
iampdon of the lungs, feems not to be a
difcovery peculiar to the prefent age ; in
the works of Van Swieten we find the fol-
lowing obfervations: ** Opium in this dii^
" eafe is a very excellent remedy, becaufe
" it alleviates pain and cough, produces
^* fleep, and fo refreihes the patient ; it alfo
" checks the motions of the lungs, and fo
^* gives the ulcers an opportunity to heal/'
In the writings of Theoph, de Meza, feve-
ral cafes are related, where opium was
found to cure this difeafe in its incipient
ixate. I wimeiTed a cure of incipient
2 phthiiia

On the Ufes of Opium, 137

phthifis a few months paft, in which opium
was given from three to fix grains in
twenty- four hours, and with the beft fuc-
eels. . .

Many men * of the greatefl eminence
forbid the ufe of opium in dyfentery be-
fore evacuants have been adminifteredj
becaufe, from its tendency to produce co-
ftivenefs, it retains the feces, which thus
become a fource of irritation to the inte-
flines. The pracflice adopted by moft of
thefe is, to evacuate the inteflines by a
gentle purgative, and then to adminifter
fmall dofes of opium. Some f are of opi-
nion, that opium is moil ferviceable in
this difeafe combined with Ipecacuanha'.
Others. J advife it to be united with gentle
K 'purga-

* Wepfer, Bontius, Sydenham, Pringle, Youngs
Zimmerman.

f Pringle.
X De Haen, Young.

138 On the Ufes of opium.

purgatives. An opinion, very different
from thofe jnfl mentioned, is now enter-
tained by phyficians high in eflimation.
They fuppofe, that dyfentery depends on
debility, affeding the inteftinal canal par-
ticularly ; and recommend the free ufe of
opium and v^rine previous to any evacua-
tions : by this pra6lice, we are told, that
the tormina and tenefmus, fo common to
this difeafe, are quickly removed.

The ufe of evacuants previous to that
of opium is not fo generally recommends
cd in diarrhoea as in dyfentery : many
phyficians adminifter this remedy freely
at the firft attack of the difeafe ; and the
fuccefs attending fuch a mode of pratflice
can but render it more common. The
\'iolence of thofe fymptoms common to
cholera forbids the ufe of evacuants.
Hence mofl phyficians in warm climates,
where this difeafe is mofl frequent, have

On the TJfes of opium, 139

found ic necefTary to remove thefe as
fpeedily as pofTible : for this purpofe, they
adminifler opium in form of Theb.Tindl,
from twenty to eighty drops at the firft
attack of the difeafe; and the good effe(5ls
arifing from this treatment has now ren*
dered it very general.

Opium, combined with laxatives, is ge-
nerally adminiftered in colic 5 and is faid
faid to prevent ileus and inflammation by
relieving the fpafm. In 'ileus and incar-
cerated hernia, it is often found to allay
the vomiting, the fpafms, the pain, and
fometimes to diminifli the inflammation,
and prevent the gangrene of the fl:rangu-
lated gut.

In no difeafe has opium been more ge-

nerally recommended than in tetanus ; and

many phyiicians* have depended upon this

K 2 re-

* SilvefteTj Clephane.

14© On the Ufes of Opium.

remedy folely for a cure. Chambers of
South Carolina advifes the opium uo be gi-
ven in form of clyfter, or combined with
oil, and applied externally to the part : Hil-
lary diredls it to be united with muflc;
which he fays haftens the operation, and
has been found to produce the bed efFeds.
Some very late and accurate obfervers* have
found that opium is but little calculated
to efFe^l a cure in this dangerous difeafe.
In a work called Pradlical Remarks on
Weft India Difeafes, we find mention is
made of a cafe where thirty ounces of lau-
danum were given in a fhort fpace of time
without removing the fpafm or pain at-
tending this difeafe, Mr John Hunter
mentions a number of cafes in which he
gave opium in very confiderable quanti--
ties both internally and externally, with-
out the fmailefl: benefit. Many cafes of
tetanus occurred fome few months fince in

the
* Mr John Hunter,

On the Ufes ofOphm. 541

the hofpitals at London ; for the relief of
which, opium was adminiftered in large
dofes and frequently repeated, but with-
out any good efFe(fls. From thefe circum-
flances I am led to believe, that phyficians
have hitherto depended tdo much on this
remedy for a cure ; and though I am un-
able to point out one more efficacious, ftill
it appeared necefTary to {how the fallacy
of our prefent pradlice in this difeafe.

"Whether opium is calculated to remove
fyphilis, has now become a fubje(5l of dif-
pute among phyficians. Some are of opi-
nion that it adls merely as a palliative, by
quieting the fymptoms only for a time.
There are others * of great eminence who
have endeavoured to eftablifh this as the
only remedy necefTary to remove this dif-
eafe; and many unequivocal cafes are re-
lated, where opium in dofes, gradually in-
K 3 creafed

* Dr Webfter.

•-^-.

14-2 On the U/es of opium,

creafed to five grains, three, four, or evea
iix times a-day, has produced a cure.
That it is highly beneficial after the free
ufe of mercury, appears very evident from
the number of cafes related by Mr Grant
in the London Medical Journal for 1 785,

The danger which many apprehended
from the ufe of opium in ophthalmia,
feems now to have been removed by a
very valuable publication offered the
world by Mr Ware. This writer relates
a number of cafes where opium, in the
form of Theb. Tind. has given relief after
other, remedies had been unfuccefsfuUy
ufed.

Some few cafes are related where opium
has been found very ferviceable in dropfy.
In Dr Willis's Pharmacopoeia Ration, the
cafe of a patient is mentioned, who la-
boured under afcites attended with ana-
3 farcsj

On the Ufes of Opium, 14 j

farca, which was removed by Liquid
Laudanum.

It is found to afford much relief to the
various fpafmodic fymptoms of dyfjpepfia,
hyfleria, hypochondriafis, aflhma, 8cc. 8cc.

Having now communicated the whole
of dij obfervations, ic only remains to
apologife for the manner in which I have
conduced myfelf in the lad part of this
work. From a firft examination the
Reader may perhaps be led to cenfure the
Author for the fuperficial view he has ta-
ken of thofe difeafes in which opium is
ufed ; but when it is confidered that li-
mits were fixed to this Treatife beyond
which the Author could not go, and that
to invefligate fully and accurately the va-
rious difeafes in which opium is recom-
mended would require for itfelf a feparate
JK. 4 treatife,

144

On the Ufes of Opium »

treatife, he hopes that this omlillon will
be readily excufed.

The many marks of friendfhip and at-
tention which 1 have received from Dr
Duncan during my refidence in Edin-
burgh, call loudly for acknov^rledgments ;
and demand that I fhould feize this my
firft opportunity to return him thus pub-
licly my mod fincere thanks. Nor am I
lefs fenfible of the obligations under which
I am placed by the fer vices of Dr Web-
Her, from whofe private afTiilance, as well
as public ledures, I have derived the great-
eft benefits.

FINIS.

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